For those of you who have loyally followed our newsletter over the years, I apologize for the extreme lag in releasing a new missive. It seems that the transition from the winter of 2019 to the spring and summer of 2020 has moved quickly by, with the currents of uncertainty under-pinning the US Wine Industry starting with US Wine Tariffs on wines from Europe and the U.K. and culminating in what we now share as the global Covid-19 pandemic. As a business owner and ethnic minority “lady boss,” the tides of the times have never been more difficult to navigate. This has led me to search the depths for the elusive map towards surety.  In the sea of uncertainty – where is land and the “X” marking the spot?

Like most of you, I have not found the map or the “X.” Each new day remains as uncertain as the last. In my personal quest to keep both business and family afloat, though, I have found one consistent thing – like the stars – by which to chart my course. That “thing” is not really a thing but an invisible thread that connects us – it can be called many things: friendship, camaraderie, team-spirit, chutzpah, togetherness, sharing, or support.  It feels important, right now, to break through the invisible fourth wall in order to work together with empathy and allow our authentic selves to shine through.

I became an American citizen in the mid-1980s after immigrating from Thailand.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lost my citizenship paperwork, however, and I was not able to acquire a U.S. passport until 2003.  Growing up in a bi-ethnic, bi-cultural world, the systemic racism foundational to American society was plainly evident to a non-white member of it, especially a child.  As a naturalized U.S. citizen, I hold the opportunities and freedoms of this country as dear to my heart. I feel responsible to be a contributing member yet do not believe that accepting oppression comes with the agreement to uphold the tenets of this society. I have been personally devastated by the continued harm of racism in our country, especially considering the lifetime of hate crimes that have occurred and the crucible of dehumanizing deaths of black citizens leading to worldwide protesting in these past days.  I am glad that we have protest left within us.

The workers behind the scenes at Circo Vino are a multi-ethnic crew, yet, none of us are black. Many of us are people of color, yet we do not know what it is to be black in America. We want our black clients, colleagues, and friends to know that your colleagues at Circo Vino stand with you. I understand that the trauma of racism is not the same for every group of color, yet I share my empathy with you as a person of color. To my white friends and colleagues, I also extend my friendship.  If there was ever a time to understand what it means to be anti-racist; that time is now! Recognizing that racism exists is not enough, saying to yourself that you are not a racist is not enough.  To my white friends and colleagues, your support in actively being anti-racist is what will help transform the systemic oppression that has allowed inequalities and exclusions, due to skin color, to continue in America.  It’s going to be uncomfortable to talk about racism; it’s uncomfortable for me to write this letter for my company’s public newsletter. Yet, enough is enough.  I cherish the invisible threads that hold us all together and I am willing to be uncomfortable if it means that we can continue to share this corner of the world we love so much – the one in which we lift our glasses to each other. Please take the time to visit the #BlackLivesMatter resources below. Listen. Inform. Educate. Act.

Circo Vino remains and fights to survive because so many of you, during this difficult time, have reached out to tell me that what we do matters to you – that you love our website, our wines, our winemakers, our company members, and that you love what we stand for in our little corner of the world. For those separated by an ocean, our winery partners still reach across with videos and phone calls to keep in touch because they feel the love you send all of us. For those separated by miles, like our winery friends in Arizona, their generosity towards their local communities is nothing short of humbling. Our distributor partners across the country have hunkered down to help us continue to deliver the wines you love.  What is evident to me  is that wine begets community and even in the absence of sharing with each other in the usual way – “wine people” still find a way to create togetherness.

Thank you.

For all of you who support the wine community with your advocacy, resources, and friendship, I thank you. For all of you who make it a point to support Circo Vino – my double thanks. You are the stars by which I chart our course. Please continue to support your local independent wine shops and restaurants. Please continue to use your pen and your voice to help us support our industry. Please continue to love yourselves and each other. Please continue to remember that it’s ok to make mistakes and you can try again tomorrow.

Here’s to washing our hands, not touching our faces, wearing a mask while in public, continuing to safely distance, practicing kindness, and to raising a glass of wine to each other!

To Your Health,

Sariya